Device for automatic developing of photographic sensitive surfaces



United States Patent [72] Inventor Bernard Andre Lucas 15. Ave. du President John Kennedy, Bihorel, France [21 1 Appl. No. 687,238

[22] Filed Dec. 1, 1967 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [32] Priority Dec. 2, 1966, Nov. 24, 1967 [33] France [54] DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING OF PHOTOGRAPI-IIC SENSITIVE SURFACES Pl'imury Examiner-John M Horan Assistant Examiner-Robert P. Greiner Attorney-Sparrow and Sparrow ABSTRACT: A device for developing photographic sensitive surfaces having a developer trough suspended and immersed in a water-bath tank with means for keeping the water therein at a constant level and at a predetermined constant temperature. A flexible strip having a plurality of containers adapted to be filled with chemicals for one developing cycle, which strip is propelled and guided through the water in the tank and around the trough on substantially semicircularly disposed guide bars extending to a'horizontal rectilinear section above the developer trough where the containers are automatically opened for discharging the contents thereof through a duct into the developer trough. Bosses are arranged on the strip between the containers for actuating a valve through which water from the tank is admitted to the trough for rinsing the sensitive surface between the successive application of the chemicals while the surface is rotated continuously in the trough. When the rinsing water in the trough has reached a certain level, a siphon device is primed, the trough is emptied through the siphon and the valve is closed again. The developer trough is then ready for receiving the discharge of 22 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.C1. 95/89, 95/93: 134/120; 222/371 [51] Int. Cl. 603d 5/02, G03d 3/00 [50] Field ofSearch 95/89, 93; 134/120, 157; 118/429, (inquired); 222/371 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,800,845 7/1957 Nieth ..95/89M1SC(X) 3,250,202 5/1966 Gold etal... 95/89M 3,376,854 4/1968 Kamola 137/93(X) 3,388,653 6/1968 Mayfield 95/89 V 3,396,650 8/1968 Rubinstein et al. 95/89 the next following container with the chemical for the next step. When the strip has been pulled through, the developing of the photographic sensitive surface in the trough has been completed.

- PATENIEU [IE-[3291970 saw P 3 INVENTOR BfP/lM/Pp fla 5 A0045 ATTORN EY5 IPATENTEDBECZQIHYU 3550.520 snmznrs 7 1 5 INVENTOR" JPn/P/Pah/ 44 0 JBmPaA/ ATTORNEYS DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC DEVELOPING OF PI-IOTOGRAPI'IIC SENSITIVE SURFACES The object of the present invention is a new device for automatic developing of photographic. sensitive surfaces and it relates more particularly to a device that is capable of performing equally the automatic developing of black and white or color sensitive surfaces in all sizes and with any emulsions, complying exactly with the specifications prescribed by the makers of the aforesaid sensitive surfaces.

The design of the object of the invention has moreover been selected so that the amounts.- of the necessary processing chemicals are always automatically supplied in the exact proportion of the sensitive surface to be treated in order to avoid, as it is generally the case now, the preparation of baths in quantities that exceed those which. are necessary for the work to be performed.

The device according to the invention is furthermore designed so that it does not require any particular installation, whatever may be the number of sensitive surfaces to be processed. t

According to the invention, the device comprises a heated water-bath tank filled at a constant level with running water at a preadjusted well-defined temperature and in which is immersed a suspended treatment trough that has bearings for a rotating shaft which supportsla photographic sensitive surface to be processed, which is driven by an electric motor speed reducing unit also designed to drive the motion of a guided strip or cardfheld in slide-bars which have a virtually semicircular section which is immersed in the water which fills the tank, and a rectilinear section extending into a plane that is superimposed above the aperture of the processing trough, the aforesaid strip'comprising on one of its faces a pluralityof containers positioned thereon with selected respective spaces therebet'ween and containing doses'of the processing chemicals which are discharged after automatic and successive opening and perforation of every container into the processing trough the maximum level of which, being lower than the water-bath tank level, is controlled by a draining siphon.

According to another embodiment of the invention the processing trough has a drain valve actuated by a device driven by the programming and distributing card.

The invention also consists in means on the device which drives the card, to stop the card at the start of the process for an adjustable length of time,'for attaining an overdeveloping of variable duration, which the sensitive surface to be developed continues revolving in theprocessing trough.

The invention further consists in perforating the card by means of a wheel having points thereon, which is pressed on the card by a spring without any other operating machinery.

The invention further consists of a heating device with inclined tubular units for heating the water to be fed into the water-bath tank to eliminate airbubbles despite the small amount of water used in the process. I

The invention further consists in providing the water of the heating system by means of a constant level (by overflowing) tank, the water inlet into this tank having a safety device that switches off the heating in case, of lack of water in the aforesaid inlet. I 7

Various other features of the invention can be understood from the following detailed description.

As a mere example and to facilitate the understanding of the invention, a complementary description is given below, and certain realization methods of the invention are shown diagrammatically and in a nonlimitative manner, in the attached drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. I is a sectional-elevational view of the device according to the invention; a

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section, virtually along line lI-II of FIG.l;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional-elevational view,-virtually along line III-III of'FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a section by a vertical' plane of another embodiment of this device; l

FIG. 5 shows, in partial front sectional and elevational view, the device that enables to effect overdeveloping;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section-of the device by plane 8-8 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the heating system for. the water to be fed into the water bath of the device;

FIG. 8 shows the constant level. tank feeding the water supply of the device.

By reference to the drawing the device according to the invention comprises a housing I, which opens like a box on one of its sides. The open side of housing I is closed by a boxlike lid 2, the height of which is smaller than the height of housing 1. Although it is not shown, lid 2 is removably mounted on housing I to facilitate occasionally. a full access to the interior of the latter.

Housing 1 contains a tank 4which in turn contains a structure 5 constituting in a transverse direction and in the median area of the tank a suspended processing trough 6 together with an independent drain pan 7 disposed in the same line as trough 6, but in the lower part of tank 4.

Tank 4 is laterally offset inside housing 1 so as to form an independent compartment 8 containing a water circulation circuit 9. Circuit 9 is constituted bycirculation ducts l0, and there are three of them in the'present' example, which are superimposed and altematingly inclined to be connected to one another, so as to form a zigzag path. The lower part of circulation duct 10 is extended by a fixture 11 that fits tightly through the wall of housing 1 for being connected to a normal running water supply or to a tank with a hydraulic head. Circulation ducts 10 are made preferably of a refractory material incorporating electric resistances (not shown) constituting a heating circuit for the water that is tobe circulated in the various ducts 10. a

The upper part of circulationduct-IO communicates with a transfer duct 12 being a part of a platen 13 mounted on the top of structure 5 so that transfer duct.l2 extends transversely to tank 4. Transfer duct 12 ends opposite circulation circuit 9 in a compartment that. contains the sensitive part of a manually adjustable thermostat 14.:The latter constitutes a control element for the current 'of the heating resistances in water circuit 9.

Transfer duct12 is extended, beyond thermostat 14. by a horizontal piping 15 which leads toa vertical intermediate duct 16 in armature 5. Intermediate duct 16 communicates. in its lower part and in a plane superimposed to drain pan 7 with a conduit 17 that leads to tank 4 below processing trough 6. As it can be easily understood, the hydraulic head of intermediate duct 16 is arranged .to' determine a maximum filling level of tank 4 with warm or cold water at a temperature controlled by thermostat l4, so that tank 4 constitutes a waterbath tank for trough 6. 9'

Structure 5 is designed so that-the bottom of trough 6 has a virtually semicylindrical shape. Avertical wall 18 stands in a parallel direction to a second wall 20 formed by structure 5 near intermediate duct 16. The upper edges of walls 18 and 20 have two bearings 21 and 22 for a shaft 23. The latter supports at least one roller 24 on which a strip can be wound which is transversely embossed or corrugated, and a strip of a photographic sensitive surface, such as fol-instance a film. The application of the embossed or'corrugated strip is intended to reduce as much as possible theclose contact on each side of the film to be treated to facilitate the passing through and action of the chemicals which perform the developing.

Shaft 23 of roller 24 may be supported in its median area by a wall 25 which is erected on the bottom of trough 6 in a parallel direction to walls 18 and 20. In a similar way wall 25 forms a support for shaft 23. J

A part of the bottom of trough 6 between walls 18 and 20 carries in its internal face a draining groove or chute 27 with a slanting bottom. Vertically straight above wall 20, draining groove 27 communicates with the outlet of an inclined duct 28 that ends in the lower part of a vertical duct 29. The latter is formed in structure 5 in a direction parallel to a second vertical duct 30 which leads to drain pan 7, and which is connected by suitable means to a piping outside housing 1. Parallel ducts 29 and 30 are connected together at their upper ends through a conduit 31 to constitute a draining siphon, the height of 1 which determines consequently the filling level of processing trough 6.

The sidewall 20 of trough 6 is separated from structure by a pocket 32 to accommodate a gear 33 fixed on shaft 23 which supports roller 24. Gear 33 is connected through a shafting 34 (shown in dash lines) with a drive gear 35 fixed on the output shaft of an electric motor speed reducing unit 37.

The latter is disposed in an independent compartment 38 formed in lid 22 by a side wall 39 which extends upwardly above wall of trough 6.

The electric motor speed reducing unit further comprises a second output shaft 40 which extends in a transverse direction to lid 2 so that its free end is supported by a wall 41 situated vertically above the corresponding wall of tank 4. Shaft 40 carries two gears 42 located above two bearing brackets 43. The latter are formed in projection by the lower elements of two guiding slide-bars at equal height on walls 39 and 41 and on the corresponding walls of structure 5. Slide-bars 44 constitute a path comprising in tank 4 .a substantially semicircular section 45 and in lid 2 a linking section 46 that is followed by a rectilinear section which extends above the inlet part 45a of section 45 opposite a mobile shutter 48 in the vertical wall of lid 2. As mentioned above, lid 2 is removable on housing 1, so that linking section 46 and section 45 have between each other a continuous line on the level of the junction plane of lid 2 and housing 1.

Slide-bars 44 are disposed to guide and hold the longitudinal edges of a card or strip 49, made of any suitable material, which can be sufficiently flexed to follow the path of slide-bars 44. The admission and insertion of the card or strip along part 45a of section 45 before operation of the device is facilitated by slide-bars 44 until the driving edge 49a of card or strip 49 is brought under gears 42 of the output shaft of speed reduction unit 37. Gears 42 are designed to propel card or strip 49 in slide-bars 44 in the direction of arrow f;. To this extent gears 42 can be of the friction or co'gwheel type, designed to engage rack bars embossed in or projecting above the face of card or strip 49.

The card or strip 49 also constitutes an automatic distributor of processing chemicals for the developing of the sensitive surfaces that are placed in trough 6. The processing chemicals are accommodated in containers 51 consisting of packets,

pouches, sockets, cavities or housings that are formed in or inlaid on one side of card or strip 49. Every container 51 is sealed and comprises a discharge tip or nozzle 52 fitted with a part that opens automatically and is normally directed towards the geometric center of the figure formed by slide bars 44. The discharge nozzles 52 of the various containers 51 are all positioned along the same line of the path on which an inclined plane 53, connected to platen 13, is also provided. Below plane 53, which is inclined upwardly in the direction of the motion of card or strip 49, platen 13 has a duct 54 that ends through a connecting pipe 55 to processing trough 6. In the center line of duct 54 lid 2 supports a perforator 3, which is normally positioned in a plane above card or strip 49.

in the example shown, card or strip 49 comprises five containers 51 which enclose the measured quantity of five different chemicals necessary for the developing process of a photographic sensitive surface of a certain type. However, card or strip 49 can obviously comprise a larger or smaller number of containers 51 corresponding to another type of photographic sensitive surface.

Thus card or strip 49 constitutes a distributor that moves at constant speed. driven by gears 42 mounted on shaft 40 of motor speed reducing unit 37. Furthermore, the various containers are spaced apart in a manner which is calculated to correspond in accordance with the speed of the movement of the strip to the time of action recommended for every processing chemical for the type of photographic sensitive surface to be treated, so that the card or strip simultaneously constitutes a distributing and a programming element.

Besides containers 51 the program card or strip 49 coinprises on one side bosses 56, 56:1...56n provided between the various containers on a determined linear length. Every boss 56 is designed to work with the actuating lever 57 of an admission valve 58 having a sealing plug 59. Plug 59 is designed to close tightly a hole 60 bored in the wall of processing trough 6, at a level that is lower than the maximum filling level of tank 4. but higher than the level settled in processing trough 6 by siphon 2930.

Lamps 6 are disposed for second exposure in processing trough 6 above the discharge level of hole 60. Lamps 6] can be fed by the same source of electricity as the motor speed reducing unit 37 and as the heating resistances for circulation circuit 9.

The device that is described above, operates in the following way:

In the position shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that tank 4 that forms a water bath, is filled with water the temperature of which has been previously controlled by thermostat 14 adjusted according to the process to be applied to the photographic sensitive surface wound on roller 24. In this way, most containers 51 are immersed and held in the water that fills tank 4, so that the measured quantities of processing chemicals which they contain are brought to the same temperature. Motor speed reducing unit 37 can then be switched on, so that gears 35 and 42 drive, on one part, the rotation of bobbin 24 and, on another part, the motion in the direction of arrow f; of program card or strip 49 inside the guiding slide-bars 44. The rotation speeds of the output shafts 36 and 40 can differ from one another, but, in any case,- the rotation speed of output shaft 40 is selected to drive card or strip 49 in slow motion corresponding to the total time of processing of the photographic sensitive surface to be developed, for which the aforesaid program card or strip 49 determines the various times that must be observed for the optimum action of every processing chemical and for the sequence of the various steps of the developing and fixing processes to be performed.

In the position shown in FIG. 1 the moving of program card or strip 49 in the direction of arrow f brings nozzle 52 of first container 51 in contact with inclined plane 53. The latter is disposed to operate the automatically opening component part of nozzle 52 for releasing at least partially the section of the latter. When container 51 arrives straight above duct 54, perforator 3 is lowered by suitable means synchronized with the moving container for perforating either the strip or the sealing wall of the container. This perforation is intended to let the atmospheric pressure act so that the dose of processing chemical in the container flows directly into the admission duct 54 and through pipe 55 into processing trough 6. The

continuous rotation of roller 24 thus ensures a constant peripheral splashing of the whole photographic sensitive surface to be developed in the processing chemical fed into trough 6.

When first container 51 has passed, program card or strip brings along boss 56 at the level of the driving lever 57 of valve 58. The gradual moving of the latter causes valve 58 to move so that plug 59 opens hole 60 for a determined time corresponding to the moving time of boss 56. The opening of valve 58 causes processing trough 6 to communicate with water-bath tank 4, so that the water at a determined temperature contained in the latter flows into processing trough 6 to be first mixed with the previously admitted processing chemical, When the level of the liquid contained in processing trough reaches the level of passage 31, siphon 2930 is primed for draining of the liquid through drain pan 7 and the outlet tubing not shown in the drawing.

It follows that the sensitive surface wound on roller 24 which continuously rotates is also subjected by splashing to a continuous washing by running water at the same temperature as the processing chemical which has previously been fed in, and this enables to obtain a very good quality treatment. Throughout the rinsing stage, it is obvious that the lowering of water level in water-bath tank 4 promotes a compensatory automatic filling, generated by the head of water in intermediate duct 16.

According to external conditions and particularly room temperature the running water which fills water-bath tank 4 has been previously heated when it goes through circulation circuit 9 which incorporates the'electric resistances, the electric current of which is controlled. by thermostat 14. When room temperature is higher than the required processing temperature, the running water which fills the water-bath tank 4 is not submitted to heating in the circulation circuit 9, in order to ensure a refrigeration of tank 4, since its circulation temperature is in most cases lower than room temperature. This enables to maintain return tank 4, the doses of chemicals and trough 6 to a suitable temperature for the appropriate processing of the sensitive surface.

When boss 56 has completely been passed over actuating lever 57, valve 58 is elastically broughtback to its original position so that plug 59 closes hole 60. The water which fills processing trough 6, is thus totally-drained out through siphon 29-30 until the latter is unprimed. Theprocessing trough can then admit a fresh dose of processing chemical when next container 51 is opened by inclined plane 53 and perforator 56. The action of the fresh processing chemical fed into trough 6 takes place during the time corresponding to the spacing between the corresponding container and the next one. This interval can also be taken advantage of for performing due to boss 56a a second and at least partial washing of the photographic sensitive surface wound on bobbin 24.

The above described operation 'is continued in a similar manner for the various other containers 51 comprised in program card or strip 49, which is thus gradually brought to move completely in front of plane 53, so that the part which corresponds to the completed steps of the process is automatically extracted from lid 2 throughshutter 48.

When the program card or strip is released by driving gears 42, the operator can open lid 2 to disengage roller 24 and the photographic sensitive surface which has been completely developed. T

Although this is not represented or indicated in the aforesaid operation, it is obvious that program card or strip 49, which may comprise a different number of containers 51 in a different relative position, can also actuate in any suitable way a switch by which a temporary current is admitted to the second exposure lamps 61 which act on the photographic sensitive surface after total draining of any dose of processing chemical and before feeding the next dose into trough 6.

It is obvious that in some cases and according to their characteristics the photographic sensitive surfaces to be developed must not necessarily besubjected to a washing or rinsing operation between the action of two doses of different processing chemicals. In such a case program card or strip has not a boss 56, so that valve 58 remains constantly closed.

As will be gathered from the above, the particular design of the device, and particularly the design of program card or strip 49, are selected for processing photographic sensitive surfaces of any characteristics while observing exactly the specifications prescribed by the makers, without having to carry out certain adjustment, pre'parationor even emptying and draining operations of the processing chemicals. Furthermore, the latter are initially designed so as to correspond only tothe dose which is required to process a photographic sensitive surface of determined characteristics. The result is that any sensitive surface is processed witha flost" (but every time of high purity bath, so enabling to obtain a very high quality developing. Furthermore, the constantly splashing and rotating developing process enables to minimize the amount of chemical required for every step of the treatment. This particularity offers another advantage, since it enables to avoid preparing processing chemicals, which is more often than not done with the present developing process in very big quantities, even when the number of photographic sensitive surfaces to be developed is comparatively small.

From the above, it is stated that card or strip 49 constitutes a programing and distributing element for the various doses of processing chemicals to be fed into trough 6. his obvious that card or strip 49 can also constitute adistributing element only,

if it comprises regularly spaced containers 5!. ln suchia case the motion of card or strip 49 is ensured by motor: speed reducing unit 37, the current supply, of which is controlled by a program that determines according to time a regular or irregular motion of the aforesaid st-rip,

Card or strip 49, as described above. comprises containers 51 enclosing doses of processing chemicals, but it is obvious that the latter could also be provided in paste or even solid form to be dissolved in a determined quantity of water. which would be kept in or fed into trough 6 to that effect.

According to another embodiment of the invention the bottom of processing trough 6, which communicates with the draining siphon, is fitted with a valve constituted by a flap 62 resting with a suitable gasket on free end 63 of a tube 64 connected to the bottom of trough 6. Flap 62 is carried by a lever 65 which is pivoted at 66 on a shaft which is fixed on the apparatus. A counterweight 67 carried by lever 65 presses flap 62 on end 63 of tube 64, thus closing this end. The opening of flap 62 is effectuated by a pushrod 68 actuated at the upper end thereof 69 by one or more bosses 70 carried by program distributing card 49. The opening offlap 62 enables to empty completely processing trough 6, the liquid flowing out through end 63 of tube 64 into drain pan 7. The operation of flap 62 can also be combined with the actuation of valve 58 designed to feed water from the water bath into the processing trough 6. In this case card 49 carries one or more bosses with two levels; the first level of the boss controls the opening of valve 58 and the second level effectuates the opening of flap 62 while maintaining valve 58 in the open condition.

According to another feature of the invention the devicewhich drives card 49 comprises means which enable at the start of the process to stop this card for an adjustable time, for performing a variable overdeveloping of the photographic sensitive surface on roller 24, the latter still rotating under the action of motor-speed reducing unit 37 during this stop.

To this effect, the output shaft 40 of motor speed reducing unit 37 drives a shaft 71 which drives a gear 72 and a friction disc 73 fixed on this shaft 71. Disc 73 is supported by a disc 74 mounted to rotate freely on shaft 71. Disc 74 carries a housing in which the end of a shaft 75 can rotate which is parallel to shaft 71; parts 76 ensure that both shafts are kept parallel. On shaft 75 is fixed a gear 77 meshing with gear 72 and with gears 42 which ensure the moving of card 49.

Before startingthe process card 49 is set by hand in its initial position, and container 51', which encloses the first processing chemical, is emptied into trough 6. The initial position of card 49 is accurately determined by the abutting of this card on a stop 78 which can rotate on a shaft 79 fixed on the device. The motor speed reducing unit being set in motion, roller 24 and the photographic surface to be processed rotate in trough 6. Shafts 40 and 7l also rotate and so do pinion 72 and friction disc 73, the latter driving or tending to drive disc 74. If the latter is initially in the position shown, pinion 77 is in 77a and is not engaged with card 49 which thus remains stopped. When disc 74 driven by friction disc 73 has rotated through angle A, gear 77 is then in position 77b in which gears 42 engage with card 49. Simultaneously disc 74 causes stop 78 to rotate, thus lifting the abutment of card 49. In position 77b, gear 77 begins to rotate, driving shaft 75 and gears 42 which set card 49 in motion to prepare and perform the next steps of the process.

It is obvious that the first step of the process lasts as long as necessary for disc 74 to rotate through angle A. The value of this angle is easily adjustable since it suffices before the start of the process to turn disc 74 .by hand to obtain the required angle A. The time during which lasts the rotation A, corresponds to the time required for overdeveloping of the treated photographic surface. This time is fixed by the value of the angle A. A scale on disc 74 enables to set this overdeveloping time before processing. I

According to another feature of the invention the perforation of card 49, disposed to allow-the outflow of chemicals enclosed in the containers on the card, is performed by a perforation constituted by a wheel 80 with points thereon simply pressed by a spring not shown on the drawing. This arrangement'eliminatesa mechanism for driving the perforator.

According to another feature of the invention the water to be fed into water-bank tank 4 is heated by a heating device with inclined tubular elements 81, .82, 83, each containing an electric heating element. The cold water enters in 84 into the first element 81, follows the path indicated by the arrows and leaves heated to be directed into tank 4. The inclination of elements 81, 82, 83, ensures the elimination of air bubbles contained in the water despite the small output of water required, which can be of the order of 1 litre per minute.

This method heating enables to have running water at the same temperature as the baths in trough 6, which thus avoids the wrinkling of gelatine in the processed photographic surface.

Finally, according a last feature of the invention, the heating device is fed with water through the medium of a tank 86 with a constant level by overflowing. The height of the level is determined by a partition 87, the excess water overflowing in 88. The water is fed into tank 86 through a piping 89 closed at its upper end by a sliding cover 90. The water enters tank 86 through an aperture 91, the water pressure raising cover 90 on which rests the control bar of a switch 92 positioned in the electric circuit of the water heating device. In this raised position of cover 90, switch 92 allows operation of the heating system. in case of lack of water cover 90 is lowered and switch 92 by cutting the circuit of the heating system stops the latter. This safety device, which is particularly simple, avoids any accidental overheating and its consequences.

It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the methods of application and realization mentioned; it also includes any of its variants: in particular, roller 24 could be replaced within the scope of the invention by a support part for a sensitive plate rotating continuously about itself inside trough 6.

1. Device for automatic developing of a photographic sensitive surface, said device comprising a tank for providing a liquid bath, means for maintaining said tank filled to constant level with running liquid at a predetermined temperature, a processing trough immersed in said tank having support means, a rotating shaft mounted on said support means, said shaft for supporting said sensitive surface to be treated, an electric motor speed reducing unit driving said shaft, slide means forming a first section adapted to be immersed in liquid when contained in said tank, a second section connected to said first section and extending to an elevated plane at the opening of said trough, distributing means disposed to be guided and held by said slide means and to be driven by said unit over said slide means, said distributing means carrying a plurality of spaced containers for enclosing doses of processing chemicals dischargeable into said trough, and draining syphon means for maintaining the level of liquid in said trough lower than the level of liquid in said tank.

2. Device according to claim 1 said containers having discharge nozzles, a duct leading to said trough and an automatic nozzle opening device and a perforator driven in synchronism with the frequency of passing of said containers, said perforator being disposed above said duct.

3. Device according to claim 1, the spaces between said containers being disposed according to the speed of said distributing means for determining the time of action of the processing chemicals in said containers.

4. Device according to claim 1, said unit disposed to drive said distributing means with a constant motion, said containers being arranged with irregular spaces for determining the time of action of said doses of said processing chemicals, said distributing means constituting simultaneously a distributing means and programming means.

5. Device according to claim 4, said unit disposed to drive said distributing means with an irregular motion, said unit having controls being operated by said 6. Device according to claim 1,

unit having a first output shaft, at least one gear on said first shaft, said gear pressing said distributing means against said prqgramming means. sai

slide means over which said distributing means is being driven.

7. Device according to claim 1, said motor speed reducing unit driving said distributing means comprising a second out-. put shaft connected to said rotating shaft supporting said sensitive surface in said processingtrough.

8. Device according to claim .1, said distributing means 1 comprising bosses between said containers, an actuating lever and an inlet valve controlling a passage in said processing trough said bosses disposed to actuate said lever to have said passage communicate with said tank.

9. Device according to claim 1, a circulation circuit combined with said tank said circuit having electric heating re- 10. Device according to claim 8, and second exposure lamps positioned at a level in said processing trough higher than that of said inlet valve for communication of said trough and said liquid bath.

11. Device according to claim 1, a draining valve on said processing trough and a mechanism operating said valve, said mechanism controlled by said distributing means.

12. Device according to claim 1, and stop means on said drive for said distributing means, said stop means disposed to immobilize said distributing means for an adjustable time at the start of the process for obtaining an overdeveloping of variable duration while said sensitive surface to be developed still being rotated in said processing trough.

13. Device according to claim 12, a friction disc attached to a third shaft driven by said motor, a loosely mounted disc on said third shaft, said friction disc resting on said loosely mounted disc, said friction disc meshing with a gear fixed on said second shaft on which said gears driving said distributing means are fixed.

14. Device according to claim 13 said stop means immobilizing said distributing means being rotatably disposed on a shaft under the action of said loosely mounted disc, said disc releasing the stopping of said distributing means.

15. Device according to claim 13, said overdeveloping'time being determined by an initial rotation of said loose disc.

16. Device according to claim 15, said loose disc having a scale for adjusting said overdeveloping time.

17. Device according-to claim 1, and a wheel having points for perforating said distributing means said wheel being pressed on said distributing means by a spring.

18. Device according to claim 1, and comprising a heating system for the liquid for said tank, said heating system consisting of inclined tubular elements.

19. Device according to claim 18, and a constant-level supply tank for feeding the liquid to said heating system by overflowing and a safety device that cuts the heating in case of lack of liquid at the inlet of the liquid into said supply tank.

20. Device according to claim 19, said safety device consisting of a movable cover positioned on said liquid inlet, said cover actuating a switch.

21. Device according to claim 1, said distributing means comprising a strip and said containers being disposed on one side of said strip. I

22. Device according to claim 1, said first section being substantially semicircular and said second section being substantially rectilinear.

motor speed reducing 

